If Chirac succeeds in getting Britain's EU rebate removed instead of reforming his pet Common Agricultural Policy, is it true that Britain would be the biggest Contributer to the EU budget?
Germany are the biggest contributer to the EU regardless of Britain's rebate. I reckon that Chirac hasn't got a whelk's chance in a supernova of getting it reduced or removed until it is up for re-negotiation
Ok I'm wrong, the largest net contributer to the EU budget in 2001 was Luxembourg followed by the Netherlands, Sweden then Germany, the UK is a net recipient. All the facts and figures you could wish for are in this [129 page] document http://europa.eu.int/comm/budget/pdf/agenda2000/re port2001_en.pdf
which I haven't got time to digest now but looks interesting so will do later!